James Cook nominated to the Icelandic Design Awards 2024
The James Cook sweater, designed by Helga Lilja Magnúsdóttir, fashion designer, in collaboration with Stephan Stephensen, artist, for BAHNS, is nominated as Product of the Year at the Icelandic Design Awards 2024. The award ceremony will take place in Gróska on November 7th.
From the jury:
The James Cook sweater is an extraordinary example of good design’s social influence. There is a sense of community among the fans of this garment, which has rightfully become a modern classic in Icelandic design. A successful iconic pattern was created that draws inspiration from fishing and seamanship. The pattern is also represented in a variety of other knitted garments and swimwear by BAHNS. The sweater is unisex and therefore suitable for all. It is manufactured and released in various colors in limited supply, which enhances its value as a collectible.
BAHNS does not follow the traditional ideology of the fashion industry where the norm is to release new items every year. Knitting is inherently environmentally friendly compared to other garment manufacturing processes as its waste material is minimal and the result is a durable, long-life product.
About
The clothing brand BAHNS was founded in 2015. The idea came from the collaboration between fashion designer Helga Lilja Magnúsdóttir and artist Stephan Stephensen at DesignMarch 2014.
Helga Lilja has designed clothing under the BAHNS brand from the beginning. She graduated as a fashion designer from the Iceland University of the Arts in 2006, but also studied at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam. Helga Lilja is the owner and designer of the clothing brand Helicopter. She worked for years as NIKITA's assistant designer and has collaborated with companies in Iceland such as UN Women, Cintamani and Hvammsvík. Helga is one of the owners of Kiosk Grandi at Grandagarði 35.
Stephan Stephensen, also known as President Bongo, is an artist and instigator, who works on the boundaries of music, design, photography and performing arts. He is one of the founding members of Gus Gus and played with the band around the world but now focuses on his own art.
The Icelandic Design Awards will take place in Gróska on November 7th - save the date! Stay tuned as we will be announcing the nominations in the upcoming days.
The Icelandic Design Award honours the best Icelandic design and architecture. The importance of design in our society, culture and business has been growing steadily, and it is therefore vital to increase the understanding of good design and highlight the value of quality.
The Icelandic Design Award is awarded in three categories: Product // Place // Project. In addition, the Icelandic Design Awards also include Honorary award and Recognition for the best investment in design.
The Icelandic Design Award is established by Iceland Design and Architecture in collaboration with the Iceland University of the Arts, the Museum of Design and Applied Art, Promote Iceland, The Housing and Construction Authorities of Iceland, SI - the Federation of Icelandic Industries, The University of Iceland Science Park and Gróska.
